**28. MicroRNAs**

MicroRNAs are short non-coding(21–23 nucleotide) RNA molecules that act as post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression and function by forming duplexes with target mRNAs, resulting in mRNA degradation or translational arrest. MicroRNAs may be deregulated in SLE inducing the activation of type I IFN and NκB pathways and also by promoting the release of chemokines leading to exacerbation of inflammatory responses, also by reducing DNA methylation.

Molecular genetics of SLE will in the future provide the clinician with useful therapeutic tools and a cure will be achieved without even awareness of the event that initiated the inflammatory process.
